Blaydon will not contest general election

Posted at15:3620 Apr

Dave Anderson, the MP for Blaydon, has announced he will not stand as a candidate in the general election on 8 June.

The Labour man, who has represented the area for 12 years, said: "I have reluctantly decided that for reasons of health, age and my family's needs, I cannot commit to another five years in Parliament".

Anderson, 63, is also Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The MP and former minister, who chairs the Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee, has said he would “like to do other things” with his life and will not be in the running to represent the town in June’s ballot.